CANADA STOCKS-TSX rises as BlackBerry, energy stocks lead rally

TORONTO, June 1 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index rose on Thursday in a broad rally led by steady oil prices that bolstered energy stocks, and a surge in BlackBerry Ltd shares.

BlackBerry was among the most influential gainers, jumping 8.3 percent to C$15.46 after Citron Research said it had a 24-month price target of $20 on the stock on expectations the software company will profit from the increasing application of its security and other software technology in various industries, such as automotive.

Of the index's 10 main groups, only materials, hurt by falling metal prices, retreated.

The energy group climbed 1.0 percent. Enbridge Inc was the most influential advancer in the group, rising 0.9 percent to C$52.49.

The price of oil, a key Canadian export, was steady a day after diving 3 percent on higher OPEC crude output, after an industry report showed U.S. crude stockpiles had fallen more than expected.

U.S. crude prices were up 0.3 percent at $48.44 a barrel, while Brent crude was unchanged at $50.75.

The financials group gained 0.3 percent, helped in part by Element Fleet Management Corp, which rebounded after Wednesday's losses related to unfounded speculation it was the short-selling target of hedge fund Muddy Waters.

Asanko Gold Inc, which plunged 20 percent in earlier trading a day after Muddy Waters said it was shorting the company's stock, rebounded by late morning. Shares in the mining firm, which disputed Muddy Waters' claims, rose 11.2 percent to C$2.44.

Recreational vehicle maker BRP Inc shares surged 13.9 percent to C$37.44 after it reported a much stronger-than-expected quarterly result, and also announced a quarterly dividend and share repurchase.

Materials, home to precious and base metals miners, slipped 0.1 percent, pinched by the price of gold, which dipped 0.7 percent to $1,263.4 an ounce after U.S. jobs data boosted the U.S. dollar, and nickel prices fell to an 11-month low on concerns of excess supply.